Tool Bag with Attached Compartment

ABSTRACT

A bag for carrying tools and a multitude of accessories is disclosed. The bag includes an open top, a fabric bottom panel, two spaced, rigid, fabric covered end panels, and two spaced fabric side panels as well as two carrying straps and a handle. At least one tool mat for storing small tools and accessories extends from the bottom of the tool bag and attaches to one of the panels for versatile and organized tool storage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is desirable to provide an apparatus to organize, store, and transport as many tools as possible in a versatile, compact, and efficient manner.

While a simple open-top carrying case enables quick access to larger tools such as drills, it would be desirable if the smaller tools and accessories could be stored in a more organized manner so that they can be efficiently accessed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a bag for carrying objects such as tools and accessories. The present invention provides the benefits of an open-top carrying case and the ability to efficiently store a large quantity of tools and accessories.

The bag has an open-top configuration with a flexible, fabric bottom panel, two spaced, rigid, fabric covered end panels, and two spaced, flexible, fabric side panels. Two straps are attached to the side panels and can be secured adjacent one another with a handle. Additional storage compartments extend from the bag and are capable of holding a variety of small tools and accessories in an organized manner. The storage compartments can be secured to the side panels of the bag for easy transport and compact storage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more fully understood and further advantages will become apparent when reference is made to the following detailed description of the invention and accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a tool bag of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the tool bag of FIG. 1 from the opposite side.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the tool bag of FIG. 2 with tool mats in an extended position.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the tool bag of FIG. 1 with tool mats in an extended position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, a tool bag 10 of one embodiment is shown. The bag includes a front tool mat 20 and a back tool mat 30. The tool bag 10 has a bottom panel 40, a front side panel 50, a back side panel 60, a first end panel 70, and a second end panel 80. In this embodiment, the front side panel 50 and the back side panel 60 may each include a rigid support rod 90. The rigid support rod 90 is fixed to an upper portion of at least one of the front side panel 50 or the back side panel 60. The rigid support rod 90 may be fixed to each of the front side panel 50 and the back side panel 60. The rigid support rod 90 may be fixed to the panels 50, 60 by sewing or by any other suitable means for fixing the rod 90 to an upper portion of the panels 50, 60.

For support, at least one of the first end panel 70 and the second end panel 80 may include a generally rigid, generally rectangular piece of plastic 92 that may be covered by fabric. The front and back side panels 50, 60 may also be rigid and fabric covered, similar to the first and second end panels 70, 80. The tool bag 10 also includes a front strap 12 and a back strap 14, each of which defines a closed loop. The straps 12,14 may be joined by a handle 16.

The bottom panel 40 includes a front side edge 42, a back side edge 44, a first end edge 46, and a second end edge 48. The bottom panel 40 is generally flexible but it may be rigid. In that instance, the bottom panel 40 may have a rigid insert that is fabric covered.

The front side panel 50 includes a bottom edge 52, a first end edge 54, a second end edge 56 and a top edge 58. Similarly, the back side panel 60 includes a bottom edge 62, a first end edge 64, a second end edge 66 and a top edge 68. The first end panel 70 includes a bottom edge 72, a front end edge 74, a back end edge 76 and a top edge 78. Similarly, the second end panel 80 includes a bottom edge 82, a front end edge 84, a back end edge 86 and a top edge 88. In one embodiment, the first end panel 70 also includes a first pocket 71, and the second end panel 80 includes a second pocket 81. The pocket 71 on the first end panel 70 may be replaced with a tool mat. Similarly, the pocket 81 on the second end panel 80 may be replaced with a tool mat.

In the tool bag 10 embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, each panel is connected to an adjacent panel. Each panel may be attached by stitching along the common edges. For example, the bottom panel 40 is connected to each of the front side panel 50, the back side panel 60, the first end panel 70, and the second end panel 80 with stitching along the front side edge 42, the back side edge 44, the first end edge 46, and the second end edge 48, respectively.

The front strap 12 is connected to a portion of the front side panel 50. The front strap 12 may have a first end 11 and a second end 13 with each end connected to at least a portion of the front side panel 50 to form a closed loop. Desirably, the first end 11 is spaced from the second end 13. It is desirable if the front strap 12 is connected in one location near the first end edge 54 and a second location near the second end edge 56 of the front side panel 50.

The back strap 14 is connected in a congruent configuration on the back side panel 60. The back strap 14 may have a first end 15 and a second end 19 with each end connected to at least a portion of the back side panel 60 to form a closed loop. Desirably, the first end 15 is spaced from the second end 19. It is desirable if the back strap 14 is connected in one location near the first end edge 64 and a second location near the second end edge 66 of the back side panel 60. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, both straps 12, 14 are connected to their respective side panels with stitching.

As noted above, the front and back straps 12, 14 can be secured together with the handle 16. The handle 16 may be attached to one of the front strap 12 or the second strap 14 to secure each of the front strap 12 and the back strap 14 adjacent to each other. The handle 16 may be provided with a securing member 17 to secure one portion of the handle to another portion of the handle. The securing member 17 may be a separated hook and loop material, such as Velcro®, a snap, buttons, or other suitable securing member. The handle 16 as shown in FIG. 1 is made of durable fabric material so that the handle can wrap around a portion of the loop of the handle. The handle 16 may also be made of rubber or a substantially rigid material.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a flexible container is provided generally as a front tool mat 20 that can be secured to the front side panel 50. The front tool mat 20 is flexible so that it can be moved from a first extended position where it is extended from the bag 10 to a second secured position where it is adjacent to the front side panel 50. The front tool mat 20 has a first end 21 and a second end 23 with the second end 23 connected to one of the front side panel 50 or the bottom panel 40. The second end 23 of the front tool mat 20 is preferably connected to the rest of the tool bag 10 near the bottom edge 52 of the front side panel 50, or the front edge 42 of the bottom panel 40. Accordingly, when the front tool mat 20 is in the extended position, the first end 21 of the front tool mat 20 is spaced from the front side panel 50. In addition, when the front tool mat 20 is in the secured position, the first end 21 is adjacent the front side panel 50. The front tool mat 20 has a first side 25 and a second side 26. The first side 25 has at least one storage member 27 configured for containing or securing one or more tools and/or accessories. The storage member 27 may include one or more of pockets, loops, hook and loop material, flexible straps, or elastic straps.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a second flexible container is provided generally as a back tool mat 30 that can be secured to the back side panel 60. The back tool mat 30 is flexible so that it can be moved from a first extended position where it is extended from the bag 10 to a second secured position where it is adjacent to the back side panel 60. The back tool mat 30 has a first end 31 and a second end 33 with the second end 33 connected to one of the back side panel 60 or the bottom panel 40. The second end 33 of the back tool mat 30 is preferably connected to the rest of the tool bag 10 near the bottom edge 62 of the back side panel 60, or the back edge 44 of the bottom panel 40. Accordingly, when the back tool mat 30 is in the extended position, the first end 31 of the back tool mat 30 is spaced from the back side panel 60. In addition, when the back tool mat 30 is in the secured position, the first end 31 is adjacent the back side panel 60. The back tool mat 30 has a first side 35 and a second side 36. The first side 35 has at least one storage member 37 configured for containing or securing one or more tools and/or accessories. The storage member 37 may include one or more of pockets, loops, hook and loop material, flexible straps, or elastic straps.

In one embodiment, the front tool mat 20 is longer than the back tool mat 30. The front tool mat 20 can be rolled up and secured to the front side panel 50 with any suitable securing member, such as clips 22. The back tool mat 30 may be folded up to become substantially parallel to the back side panel 60. In addition, the back tool mat 30, when folded, may be substantially flush with the adjacent back side panel 60. Thus, in this embodiment, the back tool mat 30 is approximately the same length as the height of the back side panel 60. The back tool mat 30 may be secured in this vertical position with snaps 32, separated hook and loop material 34, clips, buttons, or other suitable securing member.

The back tool mat 30 is designed to be flush against the back side panel to enable the bag carrier to hold the bag at the carrier's side without additional contact between the bag and the carrier. In other words, in this embodiment, the tool bag is designed such that the bag carrier will carry the bag with the front, rolled-up tool mat 20 facing away from the carrier.

In an alternative embodiment, both the front tool mat 20 and the back tool mat 30 are folded up to become flush with their adjacent side panels. These folded up tool mats can be secured by a variety of different means such as snaps, separated hook and loop material, clips, buttons or any other suitable securing member. The tool mats may also be secured with a combination of different attachment means. 

1. A bag for carrying tools and accessories comprising: a. a planar, generally rectangular, flexible fabric bottom panel having a front side edge, a back side edge, a first end edge and a second end edge; b. a planar, generally rectangular, generally rigid, fabric covered first end panel having a bottom edge joined to the first end edge of the bottom panel; c. a planar, generally rectangular, generally rigid, fabric covered second end panel having a bottom edge joined to the second end edge of the bottom panel; d. a flexible, fabric front side panel having a bottom edge joined to the front side edge of the bottom panel, a first end edge joined to a front side edge of the first end panel, and a second end edge joined to a front side edge of the second end panel; e. a flexible, fabric back side panel having a bottom edge joined to the back side edge of the bottom panel, a first end edge joined to a back side edge of the first end panel, and a second end edge joined to a back side edge of the second end panel; and, f. a flexible front mat joined to one of the bottom panel or the front side panel, the front mat having at least one storage member, wherein the front mat is movable from a position secured to the front side panel to a position extending from the front side panel.
 2. The bag of claim 1 further comprising a flexible back mat joined to one of the bottom panel or the back side panel, the back mat having at least one storage member, wherein the back mat is movable from a position secured to the back side panel to a position extending from the back side panel.
 3. The bag of claim 1 further comprising a rigid support rod secured into a top edge of each of the front and back side panels.
 4. The bag of claim 1 further comprising a strap extending from each of the front and back side panels.
 5. The bag of claim 4 wherein each strap defines a closed loop.
 6. The bag of claim 5 further comprising a handle joining each of the closed loops.
 7. The bag of claim 6 wherein the handle includes a first end attached to a portion of one strap and further having a securing member to secure the straps adjacent each other.
 8. The bag of claim 1 further comprising at least one pocket provided on one of the first end panel or the second end panel.
 9. The bag of claim 1 wherein each of the front and back side panels are generally rigid.
 10. A bag for carrying tools and accessories comprising: a. a fabric covered first end panel; b. a second, fabric covered end panel constructed substantially identical to the first end panel and having a configuration generally congruent with the first end panel and parallel to and spaced from the first end panel; c. a planar, fabric bottom panel between the first and second end panels with the first and second end panels extending upwardly from the bottom panel; d. a first flexible, fabric front panel extending between the first and second end panels; e. a second, flexible fabric back panel extending between the first and second end panels; f. a handle connecting the front and back panels; and, g. a flexible mat having a portion releasably secured to one of the front panel or the back panel and having at least one storage member that is exposed when the portion of the mat is extended.
 11. The bag of claim 10 further comprising a second, flexible mat secured to one of the back panel or the bottom panel and having at least one storage member that is exposed when the portion of the mat is extended.
 12. The bag of claim 10 further comprising a rigid support rod secured into a top edge of each of the front and back panels.
 13. The bag of claim 10 further comprising at least one pocket provided on one of the first end panel and the second end panel.
 14. The tool bag of claim 10 wherein each of the front and back panels are generally rigid. 